It got me again, the parable of the Prodigal. I enjoy those retreat break-out sessions where we’re asked, “Which one are you?” I find it hard to comprehend, but still, very comforting to know the lavish love God gives me and all of us prodigals. But truly, I am more like the older brother.
The prodigal’s brother needed to change his way of thinking (Luke 15:27-32). I know I can get a little self-righteous myself, thinking, “Look at me. Look at all the good I do.” And like the Pharisee, “Thank you, Lord, that I’m not like that publican.” Hmm…I need a conversion from my self-righteous way of thinking like that big brother.
Living a stewardship life is a conversion journey. As a disciple of Jesus Christ, embracing stewardship changes our way of thinking about what we have, how we get it, and what we do with it. In essence, we become a new creation. As St. Paul tells us in 2 Cor 5:17-21, when we’re in Christ, our old stuff goes away and we become new. Living stewardship does that. Our old life passes away as we live a stewardship life.
As good stewards, we embrace the truth that everything we have is a gift to us from God. We receive God’s gift of love and we return His love by giving. When we actively love by giving to and serving others, we are the new thing that comes to them. We bring Jesus to them in our new, fresh, enthusiastic stewardship life, thus glorifying God and building His kingdom. How will you bring your new self to others, helping those most in need and thereby making a loving return to the Lord?
Photo Credit: Robert Davis
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